August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day

International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest campaign to end drug overdoses. We encourage members to use this day to raise awareness and support overdose prevention efforts.

Construction workers are six to seven times more likely to die from opioid overdose than those in other industries. Workplace injuries often result in opioid prescriptions, which can lead to dependency or substance use disorders.

As you prepare for events on the last day of the month, please consider the following key messaging pillars:

• Stigma Reduction: Present addiction as a medical condition rather than a moral failing. Encourage crew members to speak up, as this can save lives.
• Overdose Prevention: Train teams to recognize overdose signs, such as unresponsiveness, blue or gray lips, and slow or stopped breathing.
• Equipped Response: Inform workers that Naloxone (Narcan) is a safe, easy-to-use nasal spray that can quickly reverse an opioid overdose and should be included in every jobsite first-aid kit.

Naloxone is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designed to reverse an opioid overdose rapidly. It is available for order from the SMOHIT online resources shop.

Please note that you must complete Naloxone training before ordering this product. You can register for the training here.

After completing the training, you will be able to order Naloxone from the shop.